USA > North Carolina > Mecklenburg County > Charlotte > The history of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church : Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina > Part 11
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As early as 1770, the congregation was supporting formal education to enhance opportunities for the youth of the commu- nity. The church built and operated an academy as early as 1872 and later constructed and operated schools in Dixie and Shopton. We have no records to indicate the church had a formal organiza- tion with responsibility for education, but, as with the debating societies in the late 1700's, there were, no doubt, groups in the church concerned with development and maintenance of educa-
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tional programs.
In all probability the main motivation in the early years for organizations within the church to support its work was the emphasis given by the Synods of the Presbyterian Church to home and foreign mission work. No matter when the organizations were initiated or their names, we are aware that numerous societies or groups have played a vital role in the services of the church to its members and the community.
Women of the Church
Not enough can be said of the loyalty of the faithful women of the church. On almost every page of the previous editions of this history we find tribute to the unending devotion of the women. A most worthy tribute was given by R. A. Grier at the 175th anniversary of the church (August 11-18, 1935):
Too much cannot be said of the loyalty of the faithful women who in every age and clime have been the backbone of the church. On every page of our church history for the past fifty years, I find recorded the gifts of the women. At times, I feel that the women of Steele Creek are descendants of Dorcas. In preparation for a day like this, I know they are liberal descendants of Martha, and yet I know, that at all times, in their Christian living that they are Marys in Bethany, choosing that good part that shall not be taken away from them. I would not forget the better halves who have reigned in the Manse and have been the power behind the throne. Our roll of elect ladies (if we had one) would be longer than that of our elders and deacons.
The women have been stalwarts in time of disaster, as for example the epidemics of illness in 1823 and 1918 and during time of flood. They also stood as pillars of faith and support in time of
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wars and in support of foreign missions. Many days have been spent by the women in collective work to convert worn-out bedsheets into bandages for the infirm and the making of quilts to provide warmth and comfort.
Following the Civil War, when Memorial Day had been estab- lished, Mrs. Feriba Pegram had the children bring flowers to the church to place on the graves of the dead. The use of flowers has been discontinued; American flags are used instead. This project remains under the supervision of a DAR member. The flags are placed on the graves by the Steele Creek Boy Scouts each Flag Day and Fourth of July.
The first recognized Women's Society was the "Steele Creek Female Circulating Book Society". As the name implies, its ac- tivities centered around making reading materials available. We are not certain when and how often the name of the society has changed, but even today the church's library is extensive, thanks largely to the women.
In the 1860's and 1870's the women in the Literary Society furnished the church with a pulpit Bible, hymnal, communion service, baptismal bowl, silver pitcher and cup, and a Bible cushion.
The Ladies Benevolent Aid Society was organized in February, 1880, following an appeal to support evangelists in the mountains of North Carolina. They met on Sundays at the close of the morning service, during lunch hour and before the afternoon service. There were 121 charter members with Mrs. A. G. Neel serving as its first president. At that time it was unheard of for women to lead in public prayer, therefore, a man had to be elected to serve as chaplain to attend and hold the opening exercise. After eight years of this format, the Reverend Cochran decided the ladies should have their own devotional. He appointed Miss Maggie Whiteside to lead the service; hence, she was the first woman to pray in public at Steele Creek. Included with aid to
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evangelists, the Women's Society contributed to building churches, manses, orphanages and other mission causes. Officers of the Society were elected annually, often being re-elected.
In 1888, "The Young Ladies Foreign Missionary Society" was organized with seventeen charter members. Miss Addie Herron served as the first president. This group later consolidated (1904) with "Ladies Benevolent Aid Society" to form the "Ladies Aid and Missionary Society". Miss Rena Brown became the first president of the new organization. During the first years of the Society, the women made approximately 300 quilts to give or sell for support of needs outside the church. When the fifth sanctuary was completed in 1889, the ladies sponsored many activities to raise funds to purchase furniture for the new church.
Upon request from the Presbytery, the Ladies Aid and Mission- ary Society changed its name to "Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society" in October, 1916, and to the "Women's Auxiliary" in 1920. The Women's Auxiliary adopted a plan for "circles" or small sub-groups. Initially there were seven of these which met monthly. Due to leadership provided by Mrs. John Mack Walker, many changes were formulated in the birth of the Home and Business Women's Circles. They contributed to Barium Springs Orphan's Home, Presbyterian Hospital, White Cross and Mission causes. They made jams and jellies for Presbyterian Hospital, they donated money, linens and food items to Barium Springs, they served for White Cross and the needy, they fur- nished pantry supplies to the Crittendon Home, and they sup- ported leper work and foreign missions. They started paying the expenses for a black woman to attend her church conference in Winston-Salem. In March of each year, eggs that were gathered on the farms of the congregation during Sundays were sold with the proceeds going to mission work.
About 1910, the women of the church became concerned over the additional needs of Barium Springs Children's Home. Bed
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covering was one of these needs. The women began to gather in pieces of material left over in the homemaking of clothes, window curtains, etc. to make quilts. For years quilts were made and sent to the orphanage. During the same period a truckload of chickens was gathered and sent to Barium Springs for Thanksgiving dinner. There were no commercial poultry or chicken producers in the community so it was the small "home flocks" managed by the 1 ladies of the church that got raided annually just before Thanksgiv- ing.
Miss Macie McGinn organized and taught the first Mission Study Class. Just when this noble activity began, we are not certain.
Although the rationing of gasoline and food during World War II restricted travel and lessened to some extent the frequency of the marvelous meals prepared by the ladies for special events at the church, the degree of activity remained high. During the war years they expanded their efforts of community service into Red Cross serving day, assisting in Red Cross Blood Bank, knitting for service men, and keeping up with more than 100 church members in service. Hundreds of men and their families stationed at the nearby air base were welcomed into the homes of Steele Creek.
Following World War II, The Alexander Home became a new cause, and the ladies saved Octagon soap coupons for the William Black Home at Montreat.
In 1948, Steele Creek's Women's Auxiliary became a member of the Historical Foundation of the Presbyterian Church. For the first time women were elected to the Pulpit Nominating Committee in 1948; Mrs. R. E. McDowell, Mrs. J. C. Price and Mrs. J. B. Watt served in that capacity.
For many years the women sponsored the Vacation Bible Schools held for two weeks each summer for the youth of the community. They also assumed responsibility for placing flowers in the church sanctuary on Sunday mornings and conducting of
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the children's nursery during the morning church worship. To these activities have been added a church kindergarten, scout groups, establishment of the Amay James Day Nursery and the Community Clothes Chest, and tutoring services at local public schools.
During the Korean War the ladies rolled bandages for the Presbyterian Medical Center located at Conjir, Korea.
Girl Scouting began in 1956 under the sponsorship of the women of the church with troops at Steele Creek and Morris Field Presbyterian Church. Initially there were two troops, Brownie and Intermediate, followed later by a Senior troop. Currently, there is a Brownie Troop, a Junior Troop, a Cadette Troop and a Senior Troop. Many women have served as Girl Scout leaders. A com- plete list is not available. One leader, Mrs. W. C. Brown, (Jack) has continued her interest from the time of organization, and is being followed in her Scout work by her daughters Susan Brown and Marian B. Briggs. Mrs. Barbara Cathey serves as our Girl Scout Organizer with the responsibility of providing leaders.
In the 1970's more projects were started, such as helping with a hot lunch program at Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, operation of the Community Service Room at the church, luncheon for the "Young At Heart", and helping sister churches in Ashe County, North Carolina.
During 1972, Mrs. E. A. Earp was installed as the first woman deacon and in 1974, Mrs. C. L. Weaver became the first woman elder.
It is impossible to include all the accomplishments of loving service rendered by the women. Some are written in our history while others are omitted. Throughout our history, their objective has been to help others at home and around the world, thus they have served their loving God and, by doing so, their fellowmen. As we review our history, it is readily evident that the women of the church have grown from just physically and spiritually present to
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active, participating members, glorifying God to the best of their abilities in their church and community. On the pages that follow we bring tribute to those women who worked so faithfully in starting the women's work in the church.
Honorary Life Members in "Women of the Church"
1938 Mrs. John Mack Walker 1964 Mrs. R. A. Grier 1940 Miss Maggie Whiteside 1965 Mrs. Fred W. Berryhill
1940 Miss Rena Brown 1966 Mrs. M. D. Clark
1945 Miss Macie McGinn 1967 Mrs. J. C. Hawfield
1946 Mrs. S. W. Whiteside
1968 Mrs. R. E. McDowell
1947 Mrs. C. P. Sloan, Sr.
1969 Mrs. R. O. Brown
1947 Mrs. I. H. Freeman
1970 Mrs. Evelyn Byrum
1948 Mrs. R. M. Bigham
1970 Mrs. Lois F. Williamson
1971 Mrs. Ernest Spratt
1949 Miss Bess Grier 1950 Mrs. I. B. Faires
1972 Mrs. Loy Brown
1955 Mrs. J. Conrad Price
1973 Mrs. Clyde L. Weaver
1957 Mrs. W. W. McGinn 1974 Mrs. Bryce Griffith
1959 Mrs. R. R. Warren
1974 Mrs. Howard Porter
1960 Mrs. J. B. Watt
1975 Mrs. W. Clarence Brown
1961 Mrs. Georrge F. Brown
1962 Miss Ann Bigham
1976 Miss Katherine McChesney
1963 Miss Macie McGinn
Presidents of the Women of Steele Creek
1880 Mrs. A. G. Neel 1894 Mrs. Feriba Pegram
1882 Mrs. L. A. Watt 1895 Mrs. A. A. Little
1885 Mrs. A. P. Nicholson 1898 Mrs. Feriba Pegram
1887 Mrs. Janie E. Wilson 1900 Mrs. L. K. Wherry
1888 Mrs. W. H. Neel 1904 Miss Rena Brown
1888 Mrs. W. O. Cochran 1908 Mrs. G. F. Robertson
1889 Miss Nannie Price
1891 Mrs. T. A. Wharton
Mrs. R. C. Freeman®
Mrs. S. W. Whiteside*
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1976 Mrs. Joseph M. Boyles
Miss Rena Brown*
1922 Miss Ona Spratt
1924 Miss Macie McGinn
1926 Mrs. John McDowell 1928 Mrs. John M. Walker 1930 Mrs. S. W. Whiteside 1932 Mrs. B. B. Wilson 1934 Mrs. L. W. Query
1958 Mrs. O. C. Williamson 1960 Miss Ann Bigham 1962 Mrs. A. H. Freeman 1964 Mrs. V. P. Byrum
1936 Mrs. J. B. Watt
1965 Miss Kate Freeman
1938 Mrs. R. M. Bigham 1967 Mrs. R. O. Brown
1940 Mrs. R. W. Boyles 1969 Mrs. C. L. Weaver
1942 Mrs. R. A. Grier
1971 Mrs. R. R. Helms
1944 Mrs. W. H. Clark
1973 Miss Frances Byrum
1946 Mrs. J. C. Price
1975 Mrs. Leighton Brown
1948 Mrs. Bradford Hunter
* Unable to determine tenure as president
Presbyterial Presidents
Steele Creek women chosen to lead the Presbytery Women Society:
1912-13 Mrs. W. A. Cleveland 1944-47 Mrs. J. B. Watt
1914-17 Miss Macie McGinn 1957-59 Mrs. J. C. Price
In 1960, the Synod of North Carolina honored Mrs. W. W. McGinn (Ruth Fite) for her outstanding work in the field of Church Extension in the Presbytery, Synod and Assembly. She was given Life Membership. During her service, she taught many study classes, spent much time travelling from Ybor City to Oklahoma to see first hand the various activities of the Assembly. Mrs. McGinn was honored again in 1961 as "Woman of the Year" by The Charlotte Observer in recognition of her work in Church Extension. The Observers' Church News Editor presented the award at a special service dedicated to her.
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1949 Mrs. W. W. McGinn 1952 Mrs. B. J. Brown 1954 Mrs. M. D. Clark
1956 Mrs. J. C. Hawfield
Women of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church participated in the Birthday Offerings each year, as follows:
1931 Girls' Home and Women's Work Building at Five African Mission Stations - and - Central School at Lubondai $130.66
1932 Christian Home Training Departments, Stuart Robinson School, Blackey, Ky., and Highland Institute, Jackson, Ky. 117.00
1933 China Bible Institute, North Kiangsu Mid-China Missions 88.00
1934 Emergency Relief Fund -- Home Mission Families - Retired and Deceased Ministers
1935 Golden Castle School, Nagoya, Japan 182.57
1936 Fellowship Hall, Montreat, N.C. 100.63
1937 Agnes Erskine School, Recife, Brazil Gayua Indians, Brazil 165.00
1938 Women and Girls of Other Races Languages in the Homeland 163.50
1939 Edmiston-Fearing Memorial Fund for Girls' Home in the Congo 151.00
1940 Vacation Bible School Movement 138.65
1941 Pioneer Evangelistic Work, Brazil Collegiate Home, Montreat, N.C. 159.03
1942 Training Christian Negro Leaders for Work among their own race 157.92
1943 Christian Literature in Mexico 166.50
1944 Presbyterian School for Mexican Girls, Taft, Texas Defense Service Council
1945 Varied Work in our Congo Mission (Evangelistic, Educational, Medical) 227.52
1946 Italian Mission, Kansas City, Mo. Chinese Presbyterian Church, New Orleans, La.
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Relief of Christians and re-establishment of Church Life in Europe and Asia 227.50 Missions in Orient - China - Japan - Korea 289.00 Mountain Retreat Association, Montreat, N.C.
1947 1948
Assembly's Training School (PSCE) Richmond, Va. 239.26 Mission Work in Brazil
1949
American Bible Society 217.26
1950 Texan-Mexican Industrial Institute, Kingsville, Texas Student Work of our Church 173.20
1951 Chapels and Christian Centers, Congo 169.01
1952 Chair of Bible, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sunday School Extension Work 278.03
1953 Furlough Homes for Missionaries 278.00
1954 Evangelistic Work, Guerrant Presbytery, Kentucky Goodland Indian Orphanage, Hugo, Oklahoma Division of Radio and Television (TRAV) 451.00
1955 Yodogawa Christian Hospital, Osaka, Japan 219.35
1956 Ybor City Mission Expansion, Florida Area Laboratory Schools for Training Church School Leaders (Assembly Wide) 356.00
1957 Medical Work in Korea Student Work in Mexico 248.35
1958 Oklahoma Presbyterian College,
Janie W. McGaughey Scholarship Fund
Chinese Presbyterian Church, New Orleans, La. 257.01
1959 Training Schools for Lay Workers in Brazil (with United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.) 417.50
1960 Classroom - Administration Building, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 486.64
1961 Presbyterian Bible School, Taiwan Christian Literature in Congo 311.42
1962 Presbyterian Guidance Program 222.23
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1963 Medical Work in Brazil Evangelistic Work in Brazil 335.60
1964 Evergreen Presbyterian Vocational School Training Workers for Presbyterian Homes 217.50
1965 Presbyterian Medical Center, Chonju, Korea Taejon Presbyterian College, Taejon, Korea 750.00
1966 Eastern Kentucky - Lees Junior College, Jackson, Kentucky Christian Social Service, Guerrant Presbytery, Kentucky 293.00
1967 1968
344.64
218.25
1969 A Teaching Hospital in the Congo - A Conference Center in Portugal 383.00
1970 Villa International 681.55
197 I Service Centers for Families in Congo, Korea and Taiwan 386.05
197 2 American Bible Society - Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 422.31
1973 Brazil 774.66
1974 Evergreen School for Girls
New Ventures in Discipleship 542.00
1975 Seiwa School in Kochi, Japan, and Hanil's Women's Seminary Chunn, Korea 694.21
1976 Bangladesh - Appalachia - Goodland Indian Orphanage, Okla. 559.05
Men of the Church
Although history does not give us a chronological record of Men's organizations in the church, there must have been several. No doubt during the post Revolutionary period when "Debating Societies" were popular, there must have been active groups at Steele Creek. Our written history records among the early
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societies of the church, "The Gentlemen's Foreign Missionary Society" organized May 19, 1889. It was organized by J. P. Swann and the Reverend P. Francis Price. The first officers were: L. W. Robinson, President, T. J. Swann, Vice-President, C. F. Brown, Secretary and P. D. Price, Treasurer.
This Society held monthly meetings to discuss some missionary topic. They made an annual contribution of about $75 to Foreign Missions. Officers serving in 1900 were Wirt Pegram, President, William Brown, Vice-President, E. B. Byrum, Secretary and L. L. Brown, Treasurer. Unfortunately our records do not identify activities beyond about 1903.
On March 29, 1896, the Reverend A. A. Little organized "The Westminster League" for the purpose of developing the Christian graces of the young people of the church. This Society held monthly meetings to discuss some Bible subject and to receive reports of committees of the Society. The first officers were the Reverend Little, President, C. B. Campbell and R. C. Freeman, Vice-Presidents, and Wirt Pegram and Walter Mitchell, Sec- retaries. Records show this Society was active at least into the 1900's but when it ceased or changed identification, we are not certain.
The next organization for men we can identify was the "Men of the Church of Steele Creek". Records tell us it was "reorganized" in the fall of 1949 soon after the arrival of the Reverend Watt M. Cooper. We are not certain of its start or whether it was the successor of another group presently unidentified. The first offic- ers were Price H. Gwynn III, President, R. F. Bigham, Vice- President, M. P. Brown, Secretary and E. T. Watson, Treasurer. The first Standing Committee Chairmen were J. C. Price, Attendance, B. J. Brown, Projects, Bradford Hunter, Programs, E. T. Watson, Finance, and W. W. McGinn, Meals.
The "Meals Committee" was rather unique. Most of the clubs of neighboring churches either had the women of the church
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prepare the meals or had them catered, but the Steele Creek group has prepared and served many meals over the years.
One of the early projects undertaken by the Men's group was a Visitation Evangelism Campaign for the entire congregation. This followed a religious survey of the area conducted by the Youth group. The Visitation Campaign was conducted December 4 to 11, 1949. Twenty-eight new members joined the church on December 11. In later years the work of Visitation Evangelism was taken over by the Evangelism Committee.
For the first Visitation Campaign, the congregation was divided into eleven zones. Later, this zone system was used to keep the pastor current on happenings within the community by having Elders and Deacons on lookout for members warranting special attention.
In 1950 the men sponsored the organization of a Boy Scout troop. The first Scout Committee consisted of B. W. Griffith, Chairman and C. P. Berryhill, Jr., Cecil McCall, C. S. Garrison and Sam Croft, members.
The men established a Student Loan Fund in 1952 for use by young people of the church who planned to enter full-time Christian service. Several young people utilized the fund, but after a period it was deemed the fund was no longer needed. It was discontinued and the residual balance given to the Duke Memorial Fund as a memorial to James Ligon Clark, a son of Steele Creek.
A special camera was supplied by the men for use by a missionary in Africa.
In 1961, the men sponsored a breakfast on Thanksgiving day. This event soon became a tradition, especially as a homecoming event for college students and others returning from outside the congregational area for the holiday with their families. The project continues although the men's group is no longer the official sponsor. Our "Meals Committee" continues largely responsible for preparation and serving of the food.
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Our men's group has also actively participated in the Spring and Fall Men's Rallies in the Presbytery.
D. R. Wilson served as President of the Men of the Church of Steele Creek in 1951-52 and as Vice-President of the Men of Mecklenburg Presbytery in 1953 and moved up to President the following year. Later in the 1950's David Wilson held the offices of Secretary and Treasurer of the Synod of North Carolina. In December, 1959, he was installed as President of the Men of North Carolina Synod. During the early 1960's he served on the Assembly Men's Council.
Each year a number from the Men's group have attended the Men's Conference at Montreat, North Carolina.
Presidents of Men of the Church of Steele Creek
1949-50 P. H. Gwynn III
1962-63 J. J. Bigger
1950-51 R. E. Deal
1963-64 B. J. Brown
1951-52 D. R. Wilson 1964-65 W. B. Brown
1952-53 R. O. Byrum 1965-66 E. A. Earp
1953-54 C. H. Smith III
1966-67 M. E. Yandle
1954-55 J. M. Boyles 1955-56 B. B. Wilson, Jr. 1968-69 C. S. Garrison
1967-68 J. B. Blanks
1956-57 M. M. Pennell 1969-70 W. B. Brown
1958-59 B. G. McCall
1970-7 1 Aage Glud
1959-60 J. W. Niell
1971-72 J. H. Freeman
1960-61 H. H. McGinn
Although visible organizations for activities of men of the church have varied throughout history, the men have always remained active in church affairs through committees, the Diaco- nate and the Session.
Youth of the Church
As best we can determine, the first youth organization at Steele Creek began in June, 1898, "The Children's Band of Earnest
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Workers", under the sponsorship of the women of the church. Miss Maggie Whiteside was its first president. She served with Mrs. C. P. Brown, Vice-President, Miss Bertha Abernethy, Secre- tary, and Miss Laura Williamson as Treasurer. The purpose of the organization was to increase interest in foreign missions. In the early years funds raised by the group were used to support a boy, Ah-Do-Tong, in the Industrial School at Sinchang, China. During the first year $47 was contributed.
In order to get the young people as active participants in the support of the foreign missions, they were encouraged to grow a small acreage of cotton to earn money. During November of each year the young people observed "In-gathering". At this time those who had grown cotton, brought their harvest to the church and placed it in a wagon. When the wagon was filled it was taken to a cotton gin and readied for market. Each youth also had a "Mite Box". On "In-gathering Day" the proceeds from the sale of cotton and the funds collected from the Mite Boxes were pooled and sent to support foreign missions.
Later, the name of the youth group was changed to the "Christian Endeavor" and youth of all ages were included. The new program encompassed both home and foreign missions. To this end they studied the cultures of many countries and that of certain regions in the United States, e.g., some of the mountain communities of North Carolina. Their activities often included displays and demonstrations on the various cultures.
The Reverend and Mrs. J. M. Walker (1920-1947) were espe- cially active in support of youth programs. Mrs. J. B. Watt and Paul Cathey were among the most active lay leaders. The youth participated in Sunday School and evening services. They de- veloped service projects, such as "Servicemen Contact" during World War II. They provided the "Sunday Bulletin" until the first church secretary was hired. Several members got a close look at the organization of the church and Presbytery by service on
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committees and the Presbytery Council. Mrs. J. B. Watt fostered their interest in music through a Christmas music program.
Scouting became a part of the church's sponsored youth programs with the first troops for boys organized in 1942 and for girls in 1956.
During the last generation covered by this edition of our history (1949 and later), the youth of the church, their organizations, and their programs have continued to expand. The congregation's recognition for need of assistance to its youth created positions for professionally trained personnel, in particular the position of Director of Christian Education.
No better tribute could be paid to our ministers, our profes- sionals in youth work, and the many lay leaders who served so faithfully in youth work than to say that in 1976, the church's work is conducted by three groups - the youth, the men, and the women.
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